Bills chances of beating the Chiefs could depend on the availability of 'questionable' key playmaker
There's no denying that the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are squaring off in what is the biggest game on the NFL schedule this weekend. It has massive implications on the first seed in the AFC, and it will serve as the latest chapter in the newest, best rivalry in the league. It's already […]
There's no denying that the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are squaring off in what is the biggest game on the NFL schedule this weekend. It has massive implications on the first seed in the AFC, and it will serve as the latest chapter in the newest, best rivalry in the league.
It's already been reported that rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman is going to be out against the Chiefs, and tight end Dalton Kincaid was ruled out as well. With the injuries to the playmakers on offense, the status of Amari Cooper is crucial to watch.
It certainly sounds like Cooper is expecting to play this weekend, but he's still catching passes with a cast on his hand/wrist. While Cooper sounds like he's ready to go, head coach Sean McDermott was pretty noncommittal about his status.
"We'll see how today goes. Just taking it one day at a time to see where it goes. You know, that cast is something you've got to get used to," McDermott said.
There's not exactly a lot of meat on that bone.
Cooper is a crucial element to this Bills team, and his presence would be felt even more with the absence of Coleman. Being an outside wide receiver like Cooper is, he would provide a veteran, elite route-running presence on the outside that could attack a Chiefs secondary that has shown weaknesses at times this season.
The way that defense plays, they draw up creative and frequent pressure packages up front, banking on their ability to get to the quarterback before the quarterback can take advantage of them. Josh Allen is going to have his opportunities to improvise in this game, and when he does, Cooper could be an option down the field that finds ways to win against the Chiefs defensive backs.
How that cast will impact Cooper's ability to catch passes remains to be seen. Throughout practices this week, Cooper was spotted catching balls from the jugs machine before ramping up to catching passes from Allen directly. For my money, if he's good enough to go, you get him out on the field, even if he might not be as effective as he normally is.
Cooper's presence alone will cause the Chiefs defense to have to account for him and his route running, which has the opportunity to open up opportunities elsewhere for Khalil Shakir and the now-crucial Dawson Knox without Kincaid. Hopefully we see him Cooper out there in the biggest game of the season so far.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
